Pace measuring device

ABSTRACT

To let the user easily recognize the results of comparison of paces. A chronograph control unit calculates a pace of running that is just completed by dividing the moving time measured by a chronograph measuring unit, by a preset distance stored in advance in a storage unit. A pace comparator/calculation unit reads the pace data recorded in the running of the previous time from the storage unit, compares it with the pace recorded this time to calculate a difference therebetween, displays the difference on a display unit, and notifies a relationship between the pace recorded this time and the pace recorded in the previous time by using a sounding unit or a light-emitting unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pace measuring device for measuring a movingtime (pace) per a unit distance.

In the marathon and like races, there has heretofore been used a pacemeasuring device for measuring the moving time (pace) per a unitdistance.

For example, there has been used a pace measuring device according towhich the time measured by the user of the pace measuring device isdivided by a distance of running that has been set in advance thereby tocalculate and display the time per a unit distance (e.g., one kilometeror one mile).

The user may participate in the marathon race while mounting the pacemeasuring device on his body to measure and learn his own pace.

By using the above conventional pace measuring device, however, it ispossible to record the pace but there is no means for comparing thenewly measured pace with the pace that has been measured. Therefore, theuser himself must compare the pace of this time with the pace of theprevious time, requiring a very cumbersome operation.

In measuring the pace while running, further, the pace of the previoustime cannot be viewed and cannot be compared with the pace data beingmeasured unless the switch provided in the pace measuring device ismanipulated.

In comparing the pace data, further, the data are simply displayed, fromwhich, however, the user is unable to recognize at a glance whether thepace is fast or slow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is intended to make it easy to recognize the result ofcomparison of pace data.

The invention further makes it easy to recognize the result ofcomparison of pace data while taking a measurement during the moving.

According to this invention, there is provided a pace measuring devicecomprising pace measuring means for measuring the pace which is a movingtime per a unit distance, storage means for storing pace data that areto be compared, comparator means for comparing the pace stored in thestorage means with the latest pace measured by the pace measuring means,and notifying means for notifying the result of comparison by thecomparator means. The pace measuring means measures the pace which is amoving time per a unit time. The comparator means compares the pacestored in the storage means with the latest pace measured by the pacemeasuring means. The notifying means notifies the results of comparisonby the comparator means.

Here, the latest pace measured by the pace measuring means may be theone after the measuring has been completed.

The latest pace measured by the pace measuring means may be the oneobtained during the measuring.

The pace data stored in the storage means may be the past pace dataafter the measuring has been completed.

The pace data stored in the storage means may be the pace data that arebeing measured by the pace measuring means.

The storage means may store a plurality of pace data and may includeselection means for selecting predetermined pace data out of theplurality of pace data, and the comparator means may compare the pacedata selected by the selection means with the latest pace.

The selection means may select the pace data recorded in the previoustime out of the plurality of pace data stored in the storage means, andthe comparator means may compare the pace selected by the selectionmeans with the latest pace.

The selection means may select the shortest pace data out of theplurality of pace data stored in the storage means, and the comparatormeans may compare the pace selected by the selection means with thelatest pace.

The selection means may calculate an average value of a plurality ofpace data stored in the storage means, and the comparator means maycompare the average value calculated by the selection means with thelatest pace.

The pace measuring means may possess moving distance measuring means formeasuring the moving distance of the user.

The storage means may store a plurality of pace data and the movingdistance data corresponding thereto at the time of calculating the pacedata, the selection means may select pace data over a predeterminedmoving distance out of the plurality of pace data stored in the storagemeans, and the comparator means may compare the pace data selected bythe selection means with the latest pace.

The selection means may select the pace data over a moving distanceapproximate to the moving distance of the latest pace measured by themoving distance measuring means among the plurality of pace data storedin the storage means, and the comparator means may compare the pace dataselected by the selection means with the latest pace.

The selection means may select the pace data over a moving distance mostapproximate to the moving distance of the latest pace but is longer thanthe moving distance of the latest pace out of the plurality of pace datastored in the storage means, and the comparator means may compare thepace data selected by the selection means with the latest pace.

The selection means may select the pace data over a moving distance mostapproximate to the moving distance of the latest pace but is shorterthan the moving distance of the latest pace out of the plurality of pacedata stored in the storage means, and the comparator means may comparethe pace data selected by the selection means with the latest pace.

The comparator means may include distance reach judging means forjudging whether the moving distance measured by the moving distancemeasuring means has reached a reference distance stored in advance inthe storage means, and compares the latest pace with the pace of theprevious time stored in the storage means when the distance reachjudging means has judged that the moving distance is in agreement withthe reference distance; and the notifying means notifies the results ofcomparison by the comparator means.

The comparator means may include distance reach judging means forjudging whether the moving distance measured by the moving distancemeasuring means has reached a reference distance stored in advance inthe storage means, and compares the latest pace with the shortest pacestored in the storage means when the distance reach judging means hasjudged that the moving distance is in agreement with the referencedistance; and the notifying means notifies the results of comparison bythe comparator means.

The notifying means may include sound notifying means for notifying thatthe latest pace is faster or slower than the pace for comparison basedon the result of comparison by the comparator means.

The notifying means may include light-emitting notifying means fornotifying that the latest pace is faster or slower than the pace forcomparison based on the result of comparison by the comparator means.

Further, provision is made of first time measuring means for measuringthe moving time and for measuring the moving time from the initial statein response to a reset signal; wherein upon detecting that the timemeasured by the time measuring means is in agreement with the pacemeasured in the previous time and stored in the storage means, thecomparator means produces a coincidence signal as well as the resetsignal; and notifying means includes sound notifying means fornotifying, by at least sound, or light-emitting notifying means fornotifying, by at least emitting light, that the time is in agreementwith the pace stored in the previous time in response to the coincidencesignal.

Provision is made of first time measuring means for measuring the movingtime and for measuring the moving time from the initial state inresponse to a reset signal; wherein upon detecting that the timemeasured by the time measuring means is in agreement with the shortestpace stored in the storage means, the comparator means produces acoincidence signal as well as the reset signal; and notifying meansincludes sound notifying means for notifying, by at least sound, orlight-emitting notifying means for notifying, by at least emittinglight, that the time is in agreement with the shortest pace in responseto the coincidence signal.

The pace measuring means includes acceleration measuring means formeasuring the acceleration at which the user is moving and second timemeasuring means for measuring the moving time, wherein the movingdistance is calculated based upon the acceleration measured by theacceleration measuring means, and the pace is calculated by dividing, bythe moving distance, the time measured by the time measuring means.

Further, provision may be made of an electronic wrist watch function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pace measuring device according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a pace measuring deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention, and illustrates abody-mounted pace measuring device which is used by being mounted on thebody of a user. The pace measuring device according to this embodimentis obtained by furnishing the function of an electronic wrist watch witha processing function that will be described later, and is constitutedas the electronic wrist watch furnished with the processing functionthat will be described later.

In FIG. 1, the pace measuring device includes a switch input unit 101, achronograph control unit 102, a pace comparator/calculation unit 103, adisplay unit 104, a sounding (or sound emitting) unit 105, alight-emitting unit 106, a chronograph measuring unit 107, anacceleration sensor unit 108 and a storage unit 109. The chronographcontrol unit 102 includes an internal time measurer 110 as first timemeasuring means.

By using the input switch unit 101 which serves as an operation means,there may be conducted an operation for starting the measurement of auser's pace, an operation for ending the pace measurement, an operationfor inputting a unit distance (reference distance) used for calculatingthe pace, an operation for inputting the moving distance, and anoperation for selecting the pace data for comparison and collation. Thedata such as reference distance input by using the input switch unit 101are stored in the storage unit 109.

The chronograph measuring unit 107 which serves as second time measuringmeans works to measure the moving time of the user.

The acceleration sensor unit 108 which serves as acceleration detectingmeans measures the acceleration of the user who is running while wearingthe pace measuring device.

The chronograph control unit 102 controls the whole pace measuringdevice, calculates the running distance based on the acceleration datafrom the acceleration sensor unit 108 and, further, executes theprocessing that will be described later.

The pace comparator/calculation means 103 which serves as comparatormeans works to compare and calculate the pace.

The display unit 104 displays the result of processing executed by thepace comparator/calculation unit 103. The sounding unit 105 which servesas sound notifying means and the light-emitting unit 106 which serves aslight-emitting notifying means, work to notify the result of processingexecuted by the pace comparator/calculation means 103 in the form ofsound and light. The display unit 104, sounding unit 105 andlight-emitting unit 106 constitute notifying means.

In the storage unit 109 that serves as storage means, there has beenstored a program for executing a processing that will be described laterby a central processing unit (CPU) that is not shown. The functions ofthe chronograph control unit 102 and pace comparator/calculation unit103 are realized by the program processing executed by the CPU. Byoperating the switch input unit 101, further, a reference distance usedfor calculating the pace is set in advance to the storage unit 109. Inthe storage unit 109 are further stored the data measured in the past,such as pace data after the measuring has been completed, movingdistance data of when the pace was measured, and measuring time at thetime of measuring the pace. In the storage unit 109 are further stored,at any time, the pace data now being measured, distance data andmeasuring time data.

The chronograph control unit 102, chronograph measuring unit 107 andacceleration sensor unit 108 are constituting pace measuring means andmoving distance measuring means. Further, the chronograph control unit102 constitutes selection means together with the switch input unit 101.Further, the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 constitutes distancereach judging means.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the paces. Described below is the processingfor comparing the paces.

A person mounting (such as holding or wearing) the pace measuring deviceon their body and taking part in a marathon or other race operates theswitch input unit 101 as he starts moving (running) to start a measuringoperation. The chronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring themoving time in response to the start operation.

The user operates the switch input unit 101 simultaneously with thecompletion of the movement over a predetermined distance, so that thechronograph measuring unit 107 ends the measuring of the moving time inresponse to the ending operation. At the same time, the chronographcontrol unit 102 divides the moving time measured by the chronographmeasuring unit 107 by the running distance (preset distance) that hasbeen stored in advance in the storage unit 109 in response to the endingoperation thereby to calculate the pace (latest pace (NP)) that is runthis time (step 5201).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 reads, from the storage unit109, the pace (BP) data recorded in the running of the previous time andstored in the storage unit 109, and compares with it the latest pace(NP) recorded this time (step S202).

When the latest pace (NP) is greater than the pace (BP) recorded in theprevious time (when the pace of this time is slower), a difference(NP−BP) between NP and BP is calculated as a pace difference CP (stepS205). The calculated pace difference CP is attached with a plus signand is displayed as “+CP” on the display unit 104 (step S206).

At step S202, on the other hand, when the latest pace (NP) is notgreater than the pace (BP) recorded in the previous time (when the paceof this time is faster or is the same), a difference (BP−NP) between BPand NP is calculated as a pace difference CP (step S203). The calculatedpace difference CP is attached with a minus sign and is displayed as“−CP” on the display unit 104 (step S204).

Therefore, the user is allowed to easily recognize the result ofcomparison between the latest pace and the pace of the previous time. Atstep S201, further, the data of the latest pace that is calculated andthe measured time may be corresponded to each other and may be stored inthe storage unit 109.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the latest pace with the shortest pace amongthe paces recorded in the past. Described below is the processing forcomparison with the shortest pace.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts running to start measuring. The chronographmeasuring unit 107 starts measuring the moving time in response to thestart operation. The user operates the switch input unit 101simultaneously with the completion of the running over a predetermineddistance, so that the chronograph measuring unit 107 ends the measuringof the moving time in response to the ending operation. At the sametime, the chronograph control unit 102 divides the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 by the running distance (preset distance)that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 109 thereby tocalculate the pace (latest pace (NP)) that is run this time (step S301).The measured time and the calculated pace are stored in the storage unit109 being corresponded to the preset distance.

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 reads, from the storage unit109, the shortest pace (FP) data among the paces recorded in the pastrunning, and compares with it the latest pace (NP) recorded this time(step S302). When the latest pace (NP) is greater than the shortest pace(FP) (when the pace of this time is slower), a difference (NP−FP)between NP and FP is calculated as a pace difference CP (step S306). Thecalculated pace difference CP is attached with a plus sign and isdisplayed as “+CP” on the display unit 104 (step S307).

At step S302, on the other hand, when the latest pace (NP) is notgreater than the shortest pace (FP) (when the pace of this time isfaster or is the same), a difference (FP−NP) between FP and NP iscalculated as a pace difference CP (step S303). The data of the latestpace (NP) and the measured time are corresponded to each other and arestored in the storage unit 109 (step S304). The pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 attaches a minus sign to the calculatedpace difference CP to display it as “−CP” on the display unit 104 (stepS305).

Therefore, the user is allowed to easily recognize the result ofcomparison between the latest pace and the shortest pace in the past. Atstep S301, further, the data of the latest pace that is calculated andthe measured time may be corresponded to each other and may be stored inthe storage unit 109.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for displaying that the pace now being measured has become apredetermined time. Described below is the processing for displaying thepace.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts running to start measuring. The chronographmeasuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response to the startoperation.

At the same time, the internal time measurer 110 provided in thechronograph control unit 102 starts measuring the moving time.

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 compares the time measured bythe internal time measurer 110 with the pace recorded in the previoustime in the storage unit 109 (step S401).

When it is detected at step S401 that the time measured by the internaltime measurer 110 has become equal to the pace recorded in the previoustime, the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 sends a reset signal tothe internal time measurer 110 to reset it (step S402), and notifies onthe display unit 104 that the pace has become equal to that of theprevious time (step S403). The mode of display on the display unit 104,in this case, may be the one using marks, the one based on the flashingof light or the one based on the scrolling. The user is, then, allowedto easily recognize that the pace has now become equal to the pacerecorded in the previous time. After being reset, the internal timemeasurer 110 starts again the timekeeping operation from zero to repeatthe above operation.

Then, the user after having moved the predetermined distance operatesthe switch input unit 101, so that the chronograph measurer unit 107ends the measuring of moving time. Accordingly, the processing shown inFIG. 2 or 3 is executed, and a difference between the past pace and thepace of this time can be confirmed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for notifying that the pace now being measured has become apredetermined time. Described below is the processing for notifying thepace by the emission of light.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation.

At the same time, the internal time measurer 110 provided in thechronograph control unit 102 starts measuring the time.

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 compares the time measured bythe internal time measurer 110 with the pace recorded in the previoustime in the storage unit 109 (step S501).

When it is detected by the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 that thetime measured by the internal time measurer 110 has become equal to thepace recorded in the previous time, the chronograph control unit 102sends a reset signal to the internal time measurer 110 to reset it (stepS502), and notifies on the display unit 104 that the pace has becomeequal to that of the previous time (step S503). Further, thelight-emitting unit 106 is energized to notify it by emitting light(step S504). Upon recognizing light emitted by the light-emitting unit106, the user is allowed to easily recognize that the pace has nowbecome equal to the pace recorded in the previous time. After beingreset, the internal time measurer 110 starts again the timekeepingoperation from zero.

Then, the user after having run the predetermined distance operates theswitch input unit 101, so that the chronograph measurer unit 107 endsthe measuring of the time in response to the ending operation.Accordingly, the processing shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is executed, and adifference between the past pace and the pace of this time can beconfirmed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for notifying (sounding) that the pace now being measured hasbecome a predetermined time. Described below is the processing fornotifying the pace by the sounding.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation.

At the same time, the internal time measurer 110 provided in thechronograph control unit 102 starts measuring the time.

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 compares the time measured bythe internal time measurer 110 with the pace recorded in the previoustime in the storage unit 109 (step S601).

When it is detected by the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 that thetime measured by the internal time measurer 110 has become equal to thepace recorded in the previous time, the chronograph control unit 102sends a reset signal to the internal time measurer 110 to reset it (stepS602), and notifies on the display unit 104 that the pace has becomeequal to that of the previous time (step S603). Further, the soundingunit 105 is energized to notify it by sound (step S604). Uponrecognizing the sound produced by the sounding unit 105, the user isallowed to easily recognize that the pace has now become equal to thepace recorded in the previous time. After being reset, the internal timemeasurer 110 starts again the timekeeping operation from zero.

Then, the user after having run the predetermined distance operates theswitch input unit 101, so that the chronograph measurer unit 107 endsthe measuring of the time. Accordingly, the processing shown in FIG. 2or 3 is executed, and a difference between the past pace and the pace ofthis time can be confirmed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the latest pace now being measured with thepace recorded in the previous time. Described below is the processingfor comparing the latest pace with the recorded pace.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation.

The acceleration sensor 108 detects the acceleration as the personmounting the pace measuring device moves, and outputs it to thechronograph control unit 102.

The chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving speed of the userbased on the acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 108 (stepS701).

Next, the chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving distancefrom the start position of the user based on the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 and on the moving speed data (step S702).

Then, the chronograph control unit 102 judges whether the calculatedmoving distance is a predetermined distance (distance of an integer inthis embodiment)(step S703). The predetermined distance has been storedin advance in the storage unit 109 by the operation of the switch inputunit 101.

When it is judged that the calculated moving distance has become equalto the predetermined distance (distance of an integer in thisembodiment), the chronograph control unit 102 picks up, from the storageunit 109, the latest moving time (latest pace (NP)) over the referencedistance (e.g., one kilometer or one mile) out of the measured data(step S704).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace (BP) recorded inthe running of the previous time from the storage unit 109, and comparesit with the latest pace (NP) recorded this time (step S705).

When the latest pace (NP) is greater than the pace (BP) recorded in theprevious time (when the pace of this time is slower), the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 calculates a difference (NP−BP) betweenNP and BP as a pace difference CP (step S708), attaches a plus sign tothe calculated pace difference CP to display it as “+CP” on the displayunit 104 (step S709).

On the other hand, when the latest pace (NP) is not greater than thepace (BP) recorded in the previous time (when the pace of this time isfaster or is the same) at step S705, the pace comparator/calculationunit 103 calculates a difference (BP−NP) between BP and NP as a pacedifference CP (step S706), attaches a minus sign to the calculated pacedifference CP to display it as “−CP” on the display unit 104 (stepS707).

Thus, the user is allowed to easily know the results of comparisonbetween the latest pace and the pace recorded in the previous time everytime when he moves the predetermined distance.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the latest pace now being measured with theshortest pace recorded in the past. Described below is the processingfor comparing the latest pace with the shortest pace.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation.

The acceleration sensor 108 detects the acceleration data of the personmounting the pace measuring device, and outputs it to the chronographcontrol unit 102.

The chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving speed of the userbased on the acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 108 (stepS801).

Next, the chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving distancefrom the start position of the user based on the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 and on the moving speed data (step 5802).

Then, the chronograph control unit 102 judges whether the calculatedmoving distance is a predetermined distance (distance of an integer inthis embodiment)(step S803).

When it is judged that the calculated moving distance has become equalto the predetermined distance, the chronograph control unit 102 picksup, from the storage unit 109, the latest moving time (latest pace (NP))over the reference distance (e.g., one kilometer or one mile) out of themeasured data (step S804).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 reads the shortest pace (FP)data stored in the storage unit 109 and recorded in the past, andcompares it with the latest pace (NP) recorded this time (step S805).

When the latest pace (NP) is greater than the shortest pace (FP) (whenthe pace of this time is slower), the pace comparator/calculation unit103 calculates a difference (NP−FP) between NP and FP as a pacedifference CP (step S809), attaches a plus sign to the calculated pacedifference CP to display it as “+CP” on the display unit 104 (stepS810).

On the other hand, when the latest pace (NP) is not greater than theshortest pace (FP) (when the pace of this time is faster or is the same)at step 805, the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 calculates adifference (FP−NP) between FP and NP as a pace difference CP (stepS806), and stores the data of the latest pace as the shortest pace inthe storage unit 109 (stepS807). The pace comparator/calculation unit103 further attaches a minus sign to the calculated pace difference CPto display it as “−CP” on the display unit 104 (step S808).

Thus, the user is allowed to easily know the results of comparisonbetween the latest pace and the shortest pace recorded in the past everytime when he moves the predetermined distance.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the pace now being measured with the pacerecorded in the previous time (or the shortest pace in the past).Described below is the processing for comparing the latest pace beingmeasured with the recorded pace (or the shortest pace).

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation.

The acceleration sensor 108 detects the acceleration data of the personmounting the pace measuring device, and outputs it to the chronographcontrol unit 102.

The chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving speed of the userbased on the acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 108 (stepS901).

Next, the chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving distancefrom the start position of the user based on the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 and on the moving speed data (step S902).

Then, the chronograph control unit 102 judges whether the calculatedmoving distance is a predetermined distance (distance of an integer inthis embodiment)(step S903).

When it is judged that the calculated moving distance has become equalto the predetermined distance, the chronograph control unit 102 picksup, from the storage unit 109, the latest moving time (latest pace (NP))over the reference distance (e.g., one kilometer or one mile) out of themeasured data (step S904).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace (BP) datarecorded in the running of the previous time (or the past shortest pacestored in the storage unit 109) from the storage unit 109, and comparesit with the latest pace (NP) recorded this time (step S905).

When the latest pace (NP) is greater than the pace (BP) recorded in theprevious time (or the shortest pace) (when the pace of this time isslower), the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 calculates adifference (NP−BP) between NP and BP as a pace difference CP (stepS909). The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 attaches a plus sign tothe calculated pace difference CP to display it as “+CP” on the displayunit 104 (step S910), and energizes the light-emitting unit 106 to emitred light (step S911).

On the other hand, when the latest pace (NP) is not greater than thepace (or the shortest pace) (BP) recorded in the previous time (when thepace of this time is faster or is the same) at step 905, the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 calculates a difference (BP−NP) betweenBP and NP as a pace difference CP (step S906). The pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 attaches a minus sign to the calculatedpace difference CP to display it as “−CP” on the display unit 104 (stepS907) and energizes the light-emitting unit 106 to emit green light(step S908).

Thus, the user is allowed to easily know the results of comparisonbetween the latest pace and the pace recorded in the previous time (orthe shortest pace in the past) every time when he moves thepredetermined distance. In particular, the user is informed of theresult of comparison of paces by light emitted from the light-emittingunit 106, and is allowed to confirm a difference in the pace by lookingat the display unit 104 at an appropriate moment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the pace now being measured with the pacerecorded in the previous time (or the shortest pace in the past).Described below is the processing for comparing the pace being measuredwith the recorded pace (or the shortest pace).

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation.

The acceleration sensor 108 detects the acceleration data of the personmounting the pace measuring device, and outputs it to the chronographcontrol unit 102.

The chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving speed of the userbased on the acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 108 (stepS1001).

Next, the chronograph control unit 102 calculates the moving distancefrom the start position of the user based on the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 and on the moving speed data (stepS1002).

Then, the chronograph control unit 102 judges whether the calculatedmoving distance is a predetermined distance (distance of an integer inthis embodiment)(step S1003).

When it is judged that the calculated moving distance has become equalto the predetermined distance (distance of an integer in thisembodiment), the chronograph control unit 102 picks up, from the storageunit 109, the latest moving time (latest pace (NP)) over the referencedistance (e.g., one kilometer or one mile) out of the measured data(step S1004).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace (BP) datarecorded in the running of the previous time (or the past shortest pacestored in the storage unit 109) from the storage unit 109, and comparesit with the latest pace (NP) recorded this time (step S1005).

When the latest pace (NP) is greater than the pace (BP) recorded in theprevious time (or the shortest pace) (when the pace of this time isslower), the pace comparator/calculation unit 103 calculates adifference (NP−BP) between NP and BP as a pace difference CP (stepS1009). The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 attaches a plus sign tothe calculated pace difference CP to display it as “+CP” on the displayunit 104 (step S1010), and energizes the sounding unit 105 to notify byproducing sound for 5 seconds (step S1011).

On the other hand, when the latest pace (NP) is not greater than thepace (or the shortest pace) (BP) recorded in the previous time (when thepace of this time is faster or is the same) at step 1005, the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 calculates a difference (BP−NP) betweenBP and NP as a pace difference CP (step S1006). The pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 attaches a minus sign to the calculatedpace difference CP to display it as “−CP” on the display unit 104 (stepS1007) and energizes the sounding unit 105 to notify by producing soundfor 1 second (step S1008).

Thus, the user is allowed to easily know the results of comparisonbetween the latest pace and the pace recorded in the previous time (orthe shortest pace in the past) every time when he moves thepredetermined distance. In particular, the user is informed of theresult of comparison of paces by sound produced from the sounding unit105, and is allowed to confirm a difference in the pace by looking atthe display unit 104 at an appropriate moment.

In this diagram, the duration for producing the sound is differeddepending upon a difference between the pace of the previous time andthe pace of this time. It is, however, also allowable to change the toneinstead of changing the duration of sounding. For example, when the paceis faster than, or is the same as, the pace of the previous time, thesound of a high frequency may be produced and, in other cases, the soundof a low frequency may be produced.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the pace measured this time with the pace overan approximate distance in the past pace data. Described below is theprocessing for comparing the paces over approximate distances.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation. When the user executes the ending operation byoperating the switch input unit 101 as he has completed the running overthe predetermined distance, the chronograph measuring unit 107 ends themeasuring of time in response to the ending operation. At the same time,the chronograph control unit 102 divides the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 by the running distance (preset distance)stored in advance in the storage unit 109 to calculate the present pace(latest pace (NP)) after having completed the movement.

The chronograph control unit 102 judges whether there are pace data overthe same distance as the distance moved this time in the pace datastored in the storage unit 109 (step S1101).

When the chronograph control unit 102 has judged that there exist thepace data over the same distance as the distance run this time, the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace data of the same distancefrom the storage unit 109 (step S1104), and compares the past pace datathat are read out with the pace data of this time (step S1103).

When it is judged by the chronograph control unit 102 at step S1101 thatthere is no pace data over the same distance as the distance run thistime, the pace comparator unit 103 reads, from the storage unit 109, thepace data of a distance shorter than the distance of this time out ofthe moving distances (approximate distances) within a predeterminedapproximate range stored in the storage unit 109 (step S1102), andcompares the past pace data that are read out with the pace data of thistime (step S1103).

Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is executed to confirm adifference between the past pace and the pace of this time over the samedistance. This makes it possible to learn the results of comparison ofpaces compared under a condition where the moving distances are nearlythe same.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the pace measured this time with the pace overan approximate distance in the past pace data. Described below is theprocessing for comparing the paces over approximate distances.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation. When the user executes the ending operation byoperating the switch input unit 101 as he has completed the running overthe predetermined distance, the chronograph measuring unit 107 ends themeasuring of time in response to the ending operation. At the same time,the chronograph control unit 102 divides the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 by the running distance (preset distance)stored in advance in the storage unit 109 to calculate the present pace(latest pace (NP)) after having completed the movement.

The chronograph control unit 102 judges whether there are pace data overthe same distance as the distance moved this time in the paced at astored in the storage unit 109 (step S1201).

When the chronograph control unit 102 has judged that there exist thepace data over the same distance as the distance run this time, the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace data of the same distancefrom the storage unit 109 (step S1204), and compares the past pace datathat are read out with the pace data of this time (step S1203).

When it is judged by the chronograph control unit 102 at step S1201 thatthere is no pace data over the same distance as the distance run thistime, the pace comparator unit 103 reads, from the storage unit 109, thepace data of a distance longer than the distance of this time out of themoving distances (approximate distances) within a predeterminedapproximate range stored in the storage unit 109 (step S1202), andcompares the past pace data that are read out with the pace data of thistime (step S1203).

Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is executed to confirm adifference between the past pace and the pace of this time over the samedistance. This makes it possible to learn the results of comparison ofpaces compared under a condition where the moving distances are nearlythe same.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the pace measured this time with the pace overan approximate distance in the past pace data. Described below is theprocessing for comparing the paces over approximate distances.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation. When the user executes the ending operation byoperating the switch input unit 101 as he has completed the running overthe predetermined distance, the chronograph measuring unit 107 ends themeasuring of time in response to the ending operation. At the same time,the chronograph control unit 102 divides the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 by the running distance (preset distance)stored in advance in the storage unit 109 to calculate the pace (latestpace (NP)) just after having completed the running.

The chronograph control unit 102 judges whether there is pace data overthe same distance as the distance run this time in the pace data storedin the storage unit 109 (stepS1301).

When the chronograph control unit 102 has judged that there exists thepace data over the same distance as the distance run this time, the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace data over the samedistance from the storage unit 109 (step S1305), and compares the pastpace data that are read out with the pace data of this time (stepS1304).

When it is judged by the chronograph control unit 102 at step S1301 thatthere is no pace data over the same distance as the distance run thistime, the pace comparator unit 103 reads, from the storage unit 109, aplurality of pace data of moving distances (approximate distances)within a predetermined approximate range stored in the storage unit 109(step S1302), and calculates an average value of the plurality of pacedata that are read out (step S1303).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 compares the average data ofthe above paces with the pace data of this time (step S1304).

Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is executed to confirm adifference between the past pace and the pace of this time over the samedistance. This makes it possible to learn the results of comparison ofthe pace of this time with the average pace data over the movingdistance which is approximate to the moving distance of this time.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing by the pace measuringdevice according to the embodiment of the invention, i.e., theprocessing for comparing the pace measured this time with the pace overan approximate distance in the past pace data. Described below is theprocessing for comparing the paces over approximate distances.

A person mounting the pace measuring device operates the switch inputunit 101 as he starts marathon running to start measuring. Thechronograph measuring unit 107 starts measuring the time in response tothe start operation. When the user executes the ending operation byoperating the switch input unit 101 as he has completed the running overthe predetermined distance, the chronograph measuring unit 107 ends themeasuring of time in response to the ending operation. At the same time,the chronograph control unit 102 divides the time measured by thechronograph measuring unit 107 by the running distance (preset distance)stored in advance in the storage unit 109 to calculate the pace (latestpace (NP)) just after having completed the running.

The chronograph control unit 102 judges whether there are pace data overthe same distance as the distance run this time in the pace data storedin the storage unit 109 (step S1401).

When the chronograph control unit 102 has judged that there exist thepace data over the same distance as the distance run this time, the pacecomparator/calculation unit 103 reads the pace data over the samedistance from the storage unit 109 (step S1405), and compares the pastpace data that are read out with the pace data of this time (stepS1404).

When it is judged by the chronograph control unit 102 at step S1401 thatthere is no pace data over the same distance as the distance run thistime, on the other hand, the pace comparator unit 103 reads, from thestorage unit 109, the whole pace data stored in the storage unit 109(step S1402), and calculates an average value of the pace data that areread out (step S1403).

The pace comparator/calculation unit 103 compares the average value ofthe pace data with the pace data of this time (step S1404).

Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is executed to confirm adifference between the past pace and the pace of this time over the samedistance. This makes it possible to learn the results of comparison ofthe average value of the whole pace data recorded in the past with thepace of this time.

In this embodiment, the pace data are calculated after the completion ofrunning, and are compared with the pace data recorded after thecompletion of the running of the previous time. Namely, the pace dataafter the completion of running are compared with each other. However,it is also allowable to compare the pace data during the running withthe pace data after the completion of running of the previous time.Namely, it is allowable to calculate the pace over a predetermined unitdistance during the running, and to compare the pace data with the pacedata that have been recorded after the completion of running in theprevious time.

It is further allowable to compare the pace data obtained during therunning with each other. Namely, the pace is calculated during therunning every after having run a predetermined unit distance, and thelatest pace data over the predetermined unit distance are compared withthe pace data over the above predetermined unit distance.

As described above, the pace measuring device according to theembodiment is provided with means for comparing the pace of this timewith the past paces, making it possible to easily know the results ofcomparison of paces.

The pace measuring device of the invention further makes it possible toeasily recognize the results of comparison of paces even during themeasuring while moving.

The pace measuring device of the invention enables the user to easilylearn the result of comparison of the paces, as well as to easily learnthe result of comparison of the paces during the measuring while moving.

1. A pace measuring device comprising: pace measuring means formeasuring a user's pace, which is a moving time of the user per a unitdistance, the pace measuring means including moving distance measuringmeans for measuring a moving distance of the user; storage means forstoring a plurality of pace values; comparator means for comparing apace value stored in the storage means with a current pace valuemeasured by the pace measuring means; notifying means for notifying ofthe result of comparison by the comparator means; and selection meansfor selecting a predetermined pace value from the plurality of storedpace values to be compared with the current pace value by the comparatormeans; wherein the comparator means includes distance reach judgingmeans for judging whether the moving distance measured by the movingdistance measuring means has reached a reference distance stored inadvance in the storage means, and compares the current pace value withthe fastest pace value stored in the storage means when the distancereach judging means has judged that the moving distance is in agreementwith the reference distance, and the notifying means notifies of theresult of the comparison performed by the comparator means.
 2. A pacemeasuring device according to claim 1; wherein the notifying meansincludes a sound-emitting unit for notifying that the current pace valueis either faster or slower than the selected pace value based on aresult of the comparison performed by the comparator means.
 3. A pacemeasuring device according to claim 1; wherein the notifying meansincludes a light-emitting unit for notifying that the current pace valueis either faster or slower than the selected pace value based on aresult of the comparison performed by the comparator means.
 4. A pacemeasuring device according to claim 1; wherein the pace measuring deviceis accommodated within an electronic wrist watch.
 5. A pace measuringdevice: pace measuring means for measuring a user's pace, which is amoving time of the user per a unit distance, the pace measuring meansincluding moving distance measuring means for measuring a movingdistance of the user; storage means for storing a plurality of pacevalues; comparator means for comparing a pace value stored in thestorage means with a current pace value measured by the pace measuringmeans; notifying means for notifying of the result of comparison by thecomparator means; and selection means for selecting a predetermined pacevalue from the plurality of stored pace values to be compared with thecurrent pace value by the comparator means; wherein the comparator meansincludes distance reach judging mean for judging whether the movingdistance measured by the moving distance measuring means has reached areference distance stored in advance in the storage means, and comparesthe current pace value with the fastest pace value stored in the storagemeans when the distance reach judging means has judged that the movingdistance is in agreement with the reference distance, and the notifyingmeans notifies of the result of the comparison performed by thecomparator means.
 6. A pace measuring device according to claim 5;wherein the notifying means includes a sound-emitting unit for notifyingthat the current pace value is either faster or slower than the selectedpace value based on a result of the comparison performed by thecomparator means.
 7. A pace measuring device according to claim 5;wherein the notifying means includes a light-emitting unit for notifyingthat the current pace value is either faster or slower than the selectedpace value based on a result of the comparison performed by thecomparator means.
 8. A pace measuring device comprising: pace measuringmeans for measuring a user's pace, which is a moving time of the userper aunit distance; storage means for storing a plurality of pacevalues; comparator means for comparing a pace value stored in thestorage means with a current pace value measured by the pace measuringmeans; notifying means for notifying of the result of comparison by thecomparator means; selection means for selecting a predetermined pacevalue from the plurality of stored pace values to be compared with thecurrent pace value by the comparator means; and first time measuringmeans for measuring a first moving time and for measuring a secondmoving time from an initial state in response to a reset signal; whereinthe comparator means produces a coincidence signal as well as the resetsignal when the time measured by the first time measuring means is inagreement with the fastest pace value stored in the storage means, andthe notifying means emits at least one of a sound and a light fornotifying that the moving time is in agreement with the fastest pacevalue in response to the coincidence signal.
 9. A pace measuring deviceaccording to claim 8; wherein the pace measuring includes accelerationmeasuring means for measuring the acceleration at which the user ismoving, second time measuring means for measuring the user's movingtime, moving distance calculating means for calculating the user'smoving distance based upon the acceleration measured by the accelerationmeasuring means, and pace calculating means for calculating the user'space by dividing the time measured by the time measuring means by theuser's moving distance.
 10. A pace measuring device according to claim8; wherein the pace measuring device is accommodated within anelectronic wrist watch.
 11. A pace measuring device comprising: pacemeasuring means for measuring a user's pace, which is a moving time ofthe user per a unit distance; storage means for storing a plurality ofpace values; comparator means for comparing a pace value stored in thestorage means with a current pace value measured by the pace measuringmeans; notifying means for notifying of the result of comparison by thecomparator means; selection means for selecting a predetermined pacevalue from the plurality of stored pace values to be compared with thecurrent pace value by the comparator means; and first time measuringmeans for measuring a first moving time and for measuring a secondmoving time from an initial state in response to a reset signal; whereinthe comparator means produces a coincidence signal as well as the resetsignal when the time measured by the first time measuring means is inagreement with the fastest pace value stored in the storage means, andthe notifying means emits at least one of a sound and a light fornotifying that the moving time is in agreement with the fastest pacevalue in response to the coincident signal.
 12. A pace measuring deviceaccording to claim 11; wherein the pace measuring includes accelerationmeasuring means for measuring the acceleration at which the user ismoving, second time measuring means for measuring the user's movingtime, moving distance calculating means for calculating the user'smoving distance based upon the acceleration measured by the accelerationmeasuring means, and pace calculating means for calculating the user'space by dividing the time measured by the time measuring means by theuser's moving distance.
 13. A pace measuring device according to claim11; wherein the pace measuring device is accommodated within anelectronic wrist watch.